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Best Actor Oscar: Best friends George Clooney and Brad Pitt duke it out

George Clooney in "The Descendants" (left) and Brad Pitt in "Moneyball" - both nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor. Fox Searchlight/Columbia

(CBS) The battle of the Hollywood hunks (and best friends) is officially on. Actors Brad Pitt and George Clooney are up against each other for the Best Actor title at this year's Academy Awards and the faux-fighting has already begun.

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It all started at the Critics Choice Awards, where Clooney was nominated for his performance in "The Descendants" and Pitt was nominated for his performance in "Moneyball." Though Clooney ultimately walked away with the prize he jokingly told MTV, "I'm sure there's a death match," when asked about the Clooney vs. Pitt awards battle.

The two met again at the Golden Globes. Brad Pitt arrived at the awards show sporting a cane, which has become his new award show accessory this season due to a knee injury. But, Clooney couldn't let Pitt's new accessory slide. "The Descendants" actor nabbed Pitt's cane and walked on stage to introduce a clip from Pitt's "Moneyball," gaining big laughs from the audience

Now, the two are pitted against each other for the final award showcase - the Oscars. Not only are the two up against each other in the Best Actor category, but their two films are competing against each other for Best Picture. But, according to Clooney, the fighting is just all fun and games.

"Look, he's my buddy, so everything that happens that's good for him makes me very happy," Clooney told MTV at this year's Critics Choice Awards.

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